« Everything begins with your stance! »

Yellow Diamond stands aside. There is something terrifying about her imposing stature. Her stern eyes are fixed on a glowing tablet in her hands. She doesn't even dedicate a third of her attention to Pink Diamond, who’s standing in the middle of the arena with a sword in her hand. What the hell was going through her mind? Why would she ask for fencing training? The room is gigantic. This is where the Gems come to watch the Quartz fights. These duels are much appreciated, especially by Yellow and her minions. A hundred Rubies sit excitedly in the bleachers, ready to react to the slightest move. Their attention makes Pink uncomfortable. Luckily, Pearl, her servant and friend, is discreetly encouraging her.

« What are you waiting for? »

This is the first time she’s ever carried a weapon in her life! What is she supposed to do with that thing? Hit someone, obviously. Pink Diamond stabs at the air, then does it again, unsure how to do better. The Rubies applaud her every move like crazy. It's already annoying.

« No, no. Awful! Keep your stance wide, keep your body lowered. »

She does her best, but she’s enraged: Yellow isn’t even looking! How can she guess what’s wrong with her movements? Pink tries to move with the next blow, but stumbles.

« As you're moving forward, balance is the key! Right foot, left foot. You can walk, right? Make an effort, come on! »

Pink sighs, returns to the middle of the arena and starts over; first a slash, then two, then a thrust.

« Now go faster. » Yellow hisses.

One more slash, then two, then a thrust. Good grief, what’s the point? Pink Diamond’s boiling with anger. She puts her heel back, turning her head to check that there are no obstacles:

“And as you're moving backwards, keep your eyes on me! »

As she tries to heed this strange advice, Pink Diamond takes a wrong step and falls. All Rubies freeze. The entire room is plunged into dismal silence. Everyone knows what is likely to happen if she gets angry, but no one wants to clean up afterward. But, it's a fact, Blue Diamond asked her personal guard to come to encourage and help Pink to stay calm: the Rubies therefore obey and start shouting encouragement. These Gems don't have complex minds, but their honesty seems to be visceral.

A Gem is faithful to the role assigned to her. It was built for this specific purpose. Each « model » exists only to fulfill its function, which is noticeable even in its personality. In truth, there is no evidence that a Gem would know how to deviate from the place assigned to her, even if she wanted to. Rubies serve as bodyguards and protect more valuable specimens. In the end, it doesn’t matter how many survive their mission; you can produce hundreds more with few resources. A Pearl is pretty. The perfect companion, but no more important than a chair. Although there are many pieces of furniture more valuable than a Pearl. And finally, Diamonds exist only to command. Things have always been this way.

Pink asked Blue about the Diamonds a long time ago, specifically their place in the universe. She answered, gently:

« Our creators needed an abundant workforce to rise beyond our universe. They created the Diamonds in order to direct and organize the multitude of the Gems on their behalf. One day our job was done and they just left us behind. The Gem Homeworld has been left as is, without purpose. We continued to maintain it, hoping they would return. »

« Do you think that’ll happen? »

« No. I believe that now the future rests on our choices. But we are Gems too, and therefore just as subservient as the others to the purpose that’s been instilled into our minds. We can’t change anything about that. »

« Why can't I remember? I am a Diamond, too! »

« Our creators never needed to complete your design. It's not that you're useless, sweetheart. I'm certainly not implying that! You were created to solve a problem that did not arise, that's all. When they left, White Diamond didn't want to leave you incomplete. We worked so hard to finish you, to infuse into you what was missing, as best as we could. Unfortunately, we are not the creators. That's why you're not as... well, you know what I mean. »

Pink Diamond doesn’t know why she’s thinking of that story again. Because it's nice? No, maybe because it explains why other Diamonds can't help but view her as inferior. She has the terrible feeling that they will never see her as an equal. The youngest, forever. Everyone instinctively understands their place, but not Pink. She’s only ever existed at the whim of White Diamond. Her life doesn't really belong to her. She gets up, returns to the middle of the arena and resumes the choreography, to perfection this time. She only needed a moment to succeed, but Yellow still doesn’t pay attention. She's always busy! Nothing matters, apart from her colonies.

« There, that's how it should be done! »

« How can you know that? You’re not even looking at me! »

Yellow looks up, staring at Pink for the first time today. The unfortunate Gem feels herself shrink, as if the sudden interest of her older sister was reducing her bravery to nothing.

« You'll learn that we don't have to stare at you to know everything about you, Pink. Besides, whatever you might say, I can see this lesson isn’t engaging you. I have work to do, if you don't want to take this exercise seriously, why should I waste my time? »

« It's... »

« No, Pink, I do not want to hear another of your excuses. How about completing something, for a change? »

« In that case, Yellow, come and show me yourself how to improve! » Pink Diamond retorts with irritation.

She flashes her sister a hostile look. No way she’ll let herself be looked down upon again! Pink lifts her sword and points it toward Yellow Diamond, who sighs and rubs her hand across her forehead. One movement of the arm is enough for a decorative spear to detach itself from the wall and enter her palm. Their size difference is monumental, but Pink Diamond won’t take this into account. Maybe if she manages to beat her, Yellow will finally give her some respect! But a second later, the rose-colored Gem flies back, crashing painfully to the ground. One hit! It only took one little hit to get swept away!

The Rubies are silent. It would be foolish to shout encouragement in such a situation. Pink stands up without a word. Her face is twisted with rage. Fresh humiliation! Yet another field where she cannot win! She sees red. The ground bursts open. The Rubies throw themselves to the ground to take shelter. Her Pearl pulls back, but doesn't seem more worried than usual. She is about to signal for her Diamond to calm down, but nothing would be more inappropriate. It's not a Pearl’s place to be a mother figure to her owner. Her role is only to be pleasant to live with. If someone finds out that their relationship goes beyond professional cordiality, her memory will be mercilessly erased! No way. She doesn't want to forget her Diamond.

« Pink, calm down! » Yellow requests, with a softer voice.

She approaches, kneels in front of her sister and puts her huge hand on Pink head. The little one calms down quickly.

« I know you want to prove your worth, but that's your problem: eagerness. You have to be patient, to accept that it takes some work. Nothing comes easily. »

« I would like to be given a chance! None of you ever trust me! Ever! I never have an opportunity to show that I can manage on my own! Why? Why don't I already have my own colony? »

« Not this again. Blue and I have talked it over often enough: the answer is no! You're not ready for... »

« What if we asked White? Why would it be up to the two of you to make this decision? »

« White? You know very well what to expect from White Diamond. Do you think her answer will be different from mine? »

Obviously her answer will be the same as Yellow's, but Pink would like to hear it from her mouth. She may be able to convince her.

« In the meantime, this lesson is over, Pink. I want to see you return to your quarters. »

« What, you don't... »

« Silence! I wasted enough of my time already! You go to your room and stay there until you are called in for your evening duties. »

Yellow Diamond walks away, beckoning the Rubies to follow her. They all seem sorry for Pink but go away without a word, leaving Pink with her Pearl. When the door closes, she angrily throws her sword at the wall. The weapon shatters into pieces.

« Can I help make this moment more pleasant, my Diamond? » Pearl asks in a soft voice.

« No. Unfortunately, nothing will make this moment bearable for me. »

If Pink Diamond may appear tiny compared to her sisters, Pearl herself seems ridiculous compared to Pink. The modest Gem causes a Ribbon Wand to appear in her hands and begins to dance frantically, in the hope that it will appease her mistress. After a minute, her Diamond says:

« I'm glad to have you with me, Pearl. You’re the only one who makes me feel like someone who matters. I appreciate that. »

« Thank you, my Diamond! You are everything to me! »

Pearl gives a huge smile. How lucky to be in service to a Diamond! The other Gems know how to be cruel and sometimes deliberately cause suffering to Pearls. It's wonderful that Pink Diamond is so nice. The little one doesn't believe she has any value. She is aware that deep down, her only use in this world is to be pretty. From time to time, not without shame, she fancies herself a friend to Pink Diamond. Maybe the latter thinks so, but a Pearl has no right. If someone finds out about this disgusting idea, what will they do to her? This is proof that there is something wrong with her mind. But it doesn't matter. At least her Diamond will never cause her any harm. She won't make her suffer. Thanks to Pink, even something as pathetic as a Pearl can hope to find happiness.